Two soldiers from Parachute Regiment die in Helmand | UK news | The Guardian

• Richard Norton-Taylor
• 
  

   

  Wednesday 9 February 2011 18.30 GMT

• Article history

Two British soldiers have died from gunshot wounds while on patrol in Helmand province in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence said the soldiers were from 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment and 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and died on Wednesday. Their families have been told.

"The soldiers were deployed on an operation to reassure the local population and provide security in the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand province", the MoD said.

It brings the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 354.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Eastman, said:

"It is my very sad duty to report the loss of two soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment and 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment this morning. The soldiers were patrolling an area in the north of Nad-e Ali District when they were hit by small arms fire from which they both subsequently died.

"Both soldiers were engaged in vital work bringing stability, governance and development to an area that had been dominated by insurgent intimidation. They have given their lives fighting oppression and protecting those less able to protect themselves; we will never forget them. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this tragic time."